Important Information

Translator

Two Year Plan Memo

Please review Mr. Logan’s memo from the district outlining a two year plan for future enrollment at ACCESS. Please note that this plan takes into consideration that Rose City Park will be a shared site and more information about who will be sharing the building will be determined as the district starts their all-district enrollment and balancing discussions. We are looking forward to continuing our work with the district as we partner together to support both the vision for ACCESS and the district goals and priorities for all Portland Public School students. Thank you for your continued enthusiasm and commitment and I am excited for the 2013-14 school year.

Due to the overwhelming call and email volume and our need to serve our current students’ needs, we cannot answer each communication regarding waitlist and inquiries regarding status. We had 190 applicants for the 2013-2014 school year and we were able to offer 80 students placement. As per our expectation, we had more openings at the 3rdgrade and the 6thgrade than any other grade. We had 67 applicants for the 1/2 class and were able to accept 11 students. We had 49 for 3rdgrade and were able to accept 33 students. We had 12 applicants for 4thgrade and were able to accept 10. We had zero openings at the 5thgrade for the 15 applicants. We had 28 applicants for the 6thgrade and were able to accept 19. We accepted all 7thand 8thgrade applicants. We have offered waitlist spots to all qualified applicants and will not know how many will accept waitlist status until later this spring. We carefully considered every applicant according to the 99% criteria and also according to the qualifications determined by our alternative program status. Those qualifications are found here: http://www.pps.k12.or.us/departments/education-options/677.htm

Every child who applied received the careful consideration of a team of five staff members from ACCESS and we weighed all evidence in the application and also made further inquiries if needed. Please understand that we will pull all applicants and reconsider if we are to have an opening and you will be notified immediately if that is the case. Please continue to work with your neighborhood school and principal to meet your students’ needs in Portland Public Schools. We are looking forward to our move to Rose City Park and really appreciate your support of our program and our students.

Unfortunately, we were unable to accept out-of-district applicants due to space constraints.

ACCESS Academy

Mission and Beliefs

Mission Statement

The ACCESS Alternative Program is committed to developing a learning environment so gifted children thrive socially, emotionally, and academically. It promotes a lifelong love of learning to become full and productive participants in our rapidly changing global community.

ACCESS

Accelerated curriculum;Cultivation and development of skills, abilities, and creativity;Character and social development;Exploration and personal discovery;Self-directed, self-paced challenges toward excellence;Service to the community and society with tolerance and wisdom.

About Us

ACCESS is located in the Rose City Park Building in Northeast Portland at 2334 NE 57th Ave.

ACCESS currently serves students in grades 1 through 8.

ACCESS serves the needs of students who have a high degree of asynchrony between subjects. Both the abilities and needs of the candidate are considered during the application process.

ACCESS accepts applications from students in the Portland Metropolitan area. The admission process complies with all federal and state statutes and regulations.

ACCESS Admissions Criteria
ACCESS admits highly capable students who perform at the 99th percentile on nationally normed tests for aptitude and/or achievement in any or all of the following areas: reading, math, or general intellect. The program is suitable for students who have exceeded all or most benchmarks.

Accelerated Curriculum & Enrichment
The program curriculum covers the "scope and sequence" requirements of Portland Public Schools, along with instructional strategies and curriculum considered "best practice" in working with highly capable students. The curriculum is taught at an accelerated pace to meet the needs of students who have exceeded all or most benchmarks.

ACCESS provides enrichment in classrooms throughout the day, as well as through specific activities, such as student participation in National Geographic Bee, National Spelling Bee, Oregon Writing Festival, American Math Competition, Middle School Science Bowl, Northwest Science Expo, and Chess for Success.

Program Curriculum
Curriculum is in two formats: Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are self-contained; Grades 6 through 8 are rotational: Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Students in grades 2-5 rotate daily between Wellness, Art, Drama, and Library, while students in grades 6-8 receive Wellness and Spanish every day.

Math for grades 6 through 8, is taught through Algebra 3-4. Students needing to continue after Algebra 3-4 may enroll at Grant HS.

English and Social Studies for grades 6 through 8, is taught through the Freshman high school level (grade 9). Emphasis is on writing and analysis.

Students may receive high school credit while in elementary or middle school.

Unique Program Opportunities

Education with intellectual peers

Grouped by instructional level in core subjects

Students work at an accelerated pace (one to two years above grade level)

Opportunity for independent study and research

Students may earn high school credit for high school-level coursework

ACCESS @Sabin students matriculate automatically to Grant High School and remain as a cohort throughout their four years in high school

Portland Public Schools recognizes the diversity and worth of all individuals and groups and their roles in society. It is the policy of the Portland Public Schools Board of Education that there will be no discrimination or harassment of individuals or groups on the grounds of age, color, creed, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation in any educational programs, activities or employment.